Electric sign



4 sheets-shea 1 e @nvm/H20@ G'eolye C Cannon,

alitozmm Jan. l, 1929.

G. c, CANNON ELECTRIC SIGN l AFilea July 1o. 192s G. C. CANNON Jan. 1,1929. 1,697,753' A ELECTRIC SIGN Filed July-io, 1926 4 sheets-sheet 2IE'za E. 54s

Jan. 1, 1929.

G. c. c ANNoN nmcfrnxcsmu 4 sheets-sheet 3 Filed July 10, 1.926

anw/nto@ Jan.1,1929. 1,697,753

, G. C. CANNON AELECTRIC SIGN Filed July l. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 George@mio/1,

@IgM/@ i Patented Jan. l, 1929.

GEORGE C. CANNON, OF. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

ELECTRIC SIGN.

AppIieaton led July 10,

rlhis invention relates to a rotatable, electrically illuminated signfor advertising and other purposes. Y

The main objectof the invention is to provide a rotatable sign ot' the'class specilied that may be vertically or horizontally mounted andhaving a multiplicity of faces or panels of an opaque nature to whichare applied, in a novel manner, letters, symbols, characters or otherdevices, preferably constructed ot translucent material, and wherein thebody of the sign is tubular and has mounted therein a plurality otgroups ot electric lights ci white and various colors, as may bedesired, to produce dill'erent light el'lects and combinations that willshoe7 through the advertising matter consisting of the letters, sym--bols and characters in the panelsA- and also to provide for outwarddisplay of iridescent streaks of light that will have an extraordinarilyattractive and pleasing effec-t.

A further object ot the invention is to provide a sign of the classspecified wherein the body, a shaft within thelbody and groups otlighting devices ot white and varying color characteristics will allrotate as a unit at a controllable degree ot speed, with advantages indisplay sign or other matter carried by the body.

A still further object ot the invention is to provide a sign of theclass specified having a rotating body with advertising and otherdevices thereon together with an interiorly located operating means andgroups otl lighting devices, all rotating as a unit, together withmechanism. which is so constructed as to enable the Weight andresistance to rotation ot the sign to be overcome by a minimized powersource or a motor having a comparatively low horseaower.

With these and otiher objects and advantages in view,q the inventionconsists in the construction and arrangementot the several parts whichwill be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

ln trie drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation ot' a sign arranged vertically and embodyingthe features ot the invention and showing' one means for mounting thesame.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the improved on an enlarged scale.

Fia'. 3 is a horizontal section on the line a-airig. a.

Fig. lA is an enlarged sectional view of the operating mechanism,showing the commuta- 1926. Serial No. 121,691.

tor controlling the flashing of the lighting groups and also a portionof the main shaft.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation, partially broken away, of a portion of themechanism shown by Fig. 4. a

' Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a portion of one ot thepanels of the bodyof the sign, showing the manner of mounting thetranslucent letters, symbols or characters, and also the lines ofperforations- -at the corner for emitting the iridescent streaks oflight.

Fig. 7 is a detail top plan View, particularly showing a commutator ormeans for controlling the `flashing of theI groups of electric lights.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic View, showing the electrical connections forthe groups of lights and commutator in association therewith.

Fig. 9 isy a diagrammatic View, showing a modilication of the commutatorand brushes and the groups of .lights in electrical connectiontherewith.

Fig. l0 is a side elevation of a portion of the improved sign embodyinga modified construct-ion.

Fig. ll is a transverse vertical section through a portion of the signshown by Fig. 10 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. l2 is a horizontal 12-12, Fig.- i 1.

rlhe improved sign comprises essentially section on the line a tubularbody 5, formed of sheet meta-lot suitable thickness and having upper andlower caps 6 and 7 of any preferred contiguration. The body 5 in thepresent instance is shown as having four faces or panels 8, and the caps6 and 7 are also illustrated in one preferred design' orl contour. Theiml proved design is adapted to be supported and stand out from thefront of a building or be erected on a roof and, as heretoforeindicated, may be arranged either vertically or horizontally. Asimplified means for positively and securely supporting the signconsists of bracket beams 9 having suitable braces 9a, the outer ends ofthese bracket beams extending into the caps 6 and 7 as clearly shown byFig. 2. The general shape olf the body 5 and the caps 6 and 7 may bevaried as conditions will permit, and the sign isot all metalconstruction and at intervals translucent letters, characters or symbolsl() are secured in the panels, and when the sign is arranged vertically,the advertising words or characters are disposed ini-verticalv alinelUlL2 neef/yes ment as shown by Fig. 1. The translucent material used in theformation of ther letters, characters or symbols is opal glass, but itwill be understood that other materials having a. similar translucentcharacteristic may be substituted for this preferred material. A shaft11 extends upwardly through the center of the body 5 and has its upperend engaged in a top bearing 12 secured t-o the underside of the bracketbeam 9, the lower end of this shaft being mountedfin a gland above alower bearing generally designated by 13 and similar to the bearing 12and disposed upon the top portion of the operating mechanism. Atpredetermined intervals disks are secured on the shaft and thereto arefirmly fixed the inner ends of iadiating` connecting brace arms 15,which have their outer ends attached to brace frames 16, the said framesbeing each formed with an opening 17 therethrough and providing flangesor members 18 to which the outer ends of the connecting braces 15 areattached. The frames 16 also have depending flanges 19,

which are secured to the panels 8. The connecting braces or arms 15 atthe upper and lower portions of the shaft extend downwardly to the disks14 and the intermediate connecting braces or .arms '15 are reverselydisposed in an upward direction, the said braces converging to the disksand having their outer ends attachedto the corner portions of the frames16. rlhis particular disposition of the connecting braces or arms 15,however, may be varied, and to conform to 'modifications in theproportions and general dimensions of the sien, it is obvious that theirnumber may be increased or decreased. The purpose of the disks 14 andthe specific arrangement of thel connecting braces or arms 15 togetherwiththe frames 16 is to Vpositively and strongly connect the body 5 tothe shaft so that said body may be rotated with the shaft and duringsuch rotation the torsional stressrelieved as much as possible from theshaft and rotation of the body 5 regularly effected. Around the shaft iswound a cable 20 carrying groups of incandescent electric lights 20having white and varying colored globes, the upper end of the cablebeing secured to the shaft, as at 21, and the lower end of said' cableconnected to the central annulus 22 of a comn'iuta-tor 23 carried by adisk 24 which is fixed to and rotatable 'with the shaft 11.Concentrically arranged with relation to the annulus 22 and secured tothe disk 24 are a plurality of segvments with spaces 26 between the endsthereof, the segments at one end of each having carbon tips 27 forpurposes which will be readily understood, and engaging the annulus 22Vand the segments 25 are carbon brushes 28 and 29 carriedvby springholders 29'nl fixed to an angle arm 30 having a securing loop or ring31. applied to and held against movement on the upper portion of theoperating mechanism below the lower bearing 13 for the shaft 11. c

The sign is constructed in such manner as to render the same water-proofor to exclude moisture from the interior thereof, the upper cap 5 havinga lower upwardly and inwardly projecting flange 32 which preventsingress of moisture in view of the inclination thereof, and the lowercap has an upper flange which is also inwardly and upwardly inclined toeffect a drainageaway from the interior of the cap. Both flanges 32 and33 will be assoc-ated with the body and interior structural features ofthe latter in such manner to form tight oints.

The panels 8 terminate at their opposite side edges in close jointconnection with the inner' side members 34 of diagonally arranged,tubular corners having outer conaferging sides 36 in which a pluralityof openings 37 are` formed and arranged in vertical alinement, asclearly shown on an enlarged scale by Fig. 6. It is obvious that thecontour of the tubular corners 35 maybe modified and pro vided with theopenings 37 therein, but in all format-ions of these corners they willbe open at their inner portions with relation to the hollow body 5.rlChe letters, characters or symbols 10 are also applied to the panels 8in a preferred manner, consisting in forming upper and lower flanges 38and 39, either secured to or forming parts of the upper and lower wallsaround the openings 10a formed in the panels 8 for mounting and exposureof the sign letters, characters or symbols. The flanges 38 and 39 arerespectively bent downwardly and upwardly to positively and removablyhold the body 40 of each letter, character or symbol, and primarily theupper flange 38 is bent out to permit insertion of the body 40 and itsletter, character or symbol 10, this insertion consisting in firstplacing the lower edge of the body in the lower flange 39 and pressingthe same against the panel to expose the letter, character or symbolthrough the opening 1()a therefor and then bending the upper flange 38downwardly over the upper edge of the said body. There letters,characters or symbols are used which have open structures and must berendered opaque, the said open structures will be filled by means ofsheet metal or analogous fillings as at 41.

@ne panel d is provided with a series of doors 42 which are bent at oneside edge portion to conform to the contour 'of the tubular corner ofwhich the said side edge portion of the door forms a part, the door atthis point being hinged, as at 43, and the remaining portion of the doorextending over to the opposite corner where its siete edge portionconforms to and makes up the one side of the said opposite tubularcorner. The doors will have their joints between letters,

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characters or symbols or between parts of Words and distinct Words inaccordance with the character ot' the sign matter. The free side edgeportion of each door terminates in an inwardly bent tia-nge 44, which ispressed into a seat formed by a flange 45 secured to the interior of thecorner 35 of which the iree side edge portion ot the door terms a part.

To secure the door in closed position, thumb Yand by means of thesedoors the interior of the body 5 may be rendered accessible at anyelevation or throughout the full elevation or length of the body 5 forthe purpose of repairing or adjusting the mechanism and replacing theelectric light bulbs may be found necessary. The doors may be readilyopened by simply loosening` the screws 46, and subsequently said doorsmay be secured in tight itting closed position by the screivs 46. "Byhaving the opposite side edge portions ot the dbors formed as sides orside members of the hollow' corners 35', the continuity ot the panelcomprising the doors in one side of the body 5 will be preserved, andmoreover, the doors are thus conveniently attached without marring thecontour of the panel side.

The operating mechanism shown in the drawings and which will now bedescribed is preferred in view of its elnfectiveness, but it will be'understood that other mechanism might be used to rotate the snat't l1and the body 5 and the groups of lights as a. unit. The gland 13 intowhich the lower 'extremity oi the shaft 1l is fitted is disposed on theupper portion ot a. cast-iron casing, generally designated by 47 and for*convenience formed in tivo pieces and machined to lit the variousconnecting elements thereof and also to provide an oil-tight enclosure.The upper section or piece-48 of the casing 47 is formed with a central,upwardly extending gland collar 49 to which is applied a screw cap 50,with a suitable packing 5l between the cap and the upperend of thecollar. `Within the collar 49 is a suitable collar bearing 52, closelyengaging the shaft il, which extends through the cap and collar as shownby Fig. 4, and below this collar bearing is an upwardly projecting boredsocket 53 into which the shaft 11 extends, the said socket 53 beingintegral With a lower base member 54 with an upper surrouncing flange 55and a lower boss 56, which extends int-o a ball bearing 57 disposedbetween upper and lower plates 58 and 59. The member 54 bears on theupper plate 59 and the boss 56 extends downwardly into an opening 60formedin the center ot the ball bearing. This ball bearing is mounted ina seat 6l formed in the base 62 of the lower section 63 of the casing,the said base having a hollow anged attaching member 64, which issecured to the lower bracket beam 9 b-y suitable fastening devices".y Tie socket 53 has set serevvs 65 which engage the shaft ll therein sothat the said socket with itsbase 54 constructed as speciiied rotates-ivith the shaft ll. Secured to the flange 55 o-i the base member 54 ofthe socket 53 is a case-hardened steel beveled ring gear 66, which is incontinual mesh With a -beveled pinion 67 on the inner end of a shortcountershaft 68 mounted' in a roller bearing 69 securedin an opening 70formed inthe sections 48 and 63 and` preferably continuous with ahousing 7l having therein a Worm Wheel 72 also keyed on thecO-unte-rshaift 68. lIn the upper part of the. housing a Worm shaft' 73is mounted in a suitable. bearing 74 and projects outwardly through. oneend oi the said housine as shown b Fie'. 5 and hasthereon D b a a beltWheel or groovedpulle'y 75. The. Worm shaft 73 is also provided with aWorm 76, which isr held in continual mesh with the Worm Wheel 72.Secured on a ledge or support 77 is an electric motor'78 and has on thearmature shaft 7 9 thereof a grooved pulley or belt Wheel 80, of smallerdimensions than the pulley or belt Whe-el 75, and trained; over thesetivo belt Wheels or pulleys isa belt 8l. As hereinbeiore noted, all otthe parts oic the operating mechanism run in oil and suitable oil cupsand means for the supply ofthe lubricant Will be provided lat pointsoundnecessary, the upper sectionV 48 of the f casing having a feedopeningSQ formed therein and normally closed by a sere-W plug 83. The`operating mechanism just described pro-vides for the use ot a. verysmall motor 78 in view ot t-he power-increasing and speed-controllingcharacteristics, dimensions and relationship of said gearing. Throughthe Worm 76 and Worm Wheel 7 2 it will be understood that the poiver` oithe motor is relatively geared and the speed is governed` by theproportionate dimensions ofthe beveled pinion 67 and ring gear 66, itbeing iound in practice that the #weight resista-nce of the body 5 otthe sign together with the shaft ll and the groups of lights with theother parts included in the body Willbe-jovercome and the sai d lill)sign arerendered easy in theirrotation by the use( ot ball and rollerbearings, thehearing l2 at the upper end of the shaft being in allrespects similar to the lower gland 13 and ball bearing 57. Thesemechanisms, as hereinbefore stated, are capable of modification, butafter due calculation and practical ex- .periment, it has been foundthat the meehamsm as shown 1s best adapted for operating the rotatingparts of the sign and especially for economy 1n motive power and withmaterial advantages in the running expense.

It will be understood that the motor 78 will be supplied with currentfrom any suitable sourcev by means of proper connections, and in view ofthe easy running action oi.3 the several movable parts of the mechanism,

v noise will be reduced .to a minimum.

The commutator brushes 28 and 29 will be supplied with electric currentthrough the medium of connections 8land 85 attached to the brush holders29EL and these brushes will be held in position tor continual contactwith the segments 25. Between the carbon tips 27 and the boss ot thesegments small wire connecting loops 86 are applied so as teinsureproper electrical transmission. Fig. 8 diagrammatically shows theconnections between the segments and the annulus 22 groups of lights isdiagrammatically illus" trated by Fig. 9, and in this instance thecommutator embodies the same Ai-Lssential elements, or the annulus 22and segments 25, as in the structure previously described, thedifference in this modilication being that the one brush 89 is mountedand the segments 25 so proportioned and gapped that the said brush 89will close the gap and connect two segments so that the groups of lights90 Ywill. glow or become active in con'ibination series, or two of thegroups will olow at one time, so that a multiplicity ci iight ei"- ieetsmay be produced, 'for instance, by couibining blue and red, green andamber, and white with either ot the other colored groups, and withincomparatively small enclosure an extended variation ot light cli'ectsmay Je derived iro-m a comparatively small number ot distinctive lightgroups. ln this modified arrangement it will be seen that each group isconnected by a. wire 9i with a wire 92 common to all ot the groups andhaving a connection 93 with the annulus 22, and that said wire 91isalsok connected by distinct wires 9d with'tlie independent segments25, as clearly illustrated by Fig. 9. The remaining brush 95 as shown byFig. 9 continually engages the annulus 22, as will be understood, andsimilar to the commutator shown by Fig. 8. In further explanation of theforegoing arrangement as shown in Figure 9 the brush holder is made withan opening to receive the brush in the shape ot a ci ss or plus mark.The brush itseli is oblong on t-he contact i'aee and is ust a fractionmore in thickness than the space between the segments and placed in theopening of the brush holder in the position where the length Ot thebrush tace will run parallel between the space between the segments andeach circuit will light consecutively as the segments pass over thebrush. The jumper wire Ashown in Figure 8 from one segment to the otherdiametrically across the commutator shown that when either of theseconnected seg-` ments pass under the brush their particular Vcircuitlights. t can be readily seen that the number of segments will beincreased by sawing additional slots and separating the comnmtator intoany number ol:v segments, and these segments connected in such mannerwith the jumpers that the number of circuits would be a divisor to thenumber of segments, and in this manner the rapidity in which one colo-ror circuit follows the other would be almost unlimited. It the brush isplaced in the brush holder in such manner that-the oblong contact faceruns crosswise to the space between the segments, it will be readilyseen that a portionof two segments will be under the brush at varioustimes, T he brush is litted in the same brush holder as above noted, butit is turned in a cross position from the above lirst lmentionedposition. The length of the face ot `this brush would be abouttwo-thirds of the distance between the slots on the commutator face.Hence, in the construction shown by Figure 9 where live colors are shownin live circuits it is possible to obtain an unlimited combination olcolor effects. As an example in explanation oit the Yforegoing, let itbe assumed that at the lirst circuit shown to the lett with red at thetop, green next, amber next, then blue and then white, are lgfurning,with this segment only making contact with the brush. Let it now beassumed that. the sign moves to a point where the oinlfcircuit will comein contact with the brush and it can readily be seen that the top colorsred and blue at the same time will change the outward appearance oi thetranslucent letters oi the sign to appear purple and the colors of thesecond circuit next to the top being green and white will turn to a nalegreen. The next two colors amber and red will shew another blend and soon for the next two colors. Of course this combination is onlyy for ashort duration, and the first auf ilo

segment will pass out from under the circuit and the lamps in thiscircuit will become extinguished leaving the second circuit burning inits true colors blue, white, red, green and amber and as the colorscontinue to circuit the third segments starts under the brush and thethird circuit is lighted and these colors burn in combination with thesecond circuit until the commutator has revolved beyond the secondcircuit and then the thiid circuit burns at its true colors amber, red,green, white and blue and so a like operation continues on around thecominutator to the starting point and repeats continuously. The rapidityof these changes is only governed by the number of circuits of thecommutatoi'.

The foregoing electrically driven sign is exceptionally attractive as anight sign and is equally attractive by daylight, due to its rotation.In view of the arrangement and operation of t-he light groups ashereinbefore specified, the color edect at night is unlimited, beingregulated solely by the number of circuits and segments installed in thesign. The sign is not only efficient as an advertising means but has inaddition a light effect through the translucent letters, characters orsymbols onl the panels of the sign that will direct attention andobservation with advantages in sign structures and especially thelight-emitting openings or holes 86 and 37 in the hollow corners 35,which cause a twinkling or iridescent streak effect upon the eye of theobserver, as the said holes or openings pass between the observer andthe groups of lights or lighting devices. As a further explanation ofthis feature, as the sign rotates these openings or holes 36 and 37forming the border of the sign and passing between the lamps in thecenter of the sign and the observer, the eye is caught by the suddenflash or twinkle as the sign changes its position relatively to the eyeof the observer and it will be understood that when the filaments of thelamps is on adirect line with the holes and the eye the said flash 0rtwinkle is distinctly seen. These bolens permit the projection of thecolored glow of the lamps that are burning at all times, but theattractive twinkling streaks are observed only when the eye of theobserver, the holes, and the lamps, are in straight alinement. It mustbe borne in mind that the metal tube or face of the signtravels betweenthe Observer and the interior lights, and since each face of the signhas two rows of holes and these faces are made of thin material it ispossible and positive that the observer will see these twinkling streaksfrom any position though the observer 'may be looking into these holesfrom an angle. It must also be considered that the sign space and holescover a greater distance in the same time than the lights in thecenter,and

therefore the holeswill always pass between the lights and the observerno matter where the observer maybe and owing to the different colors ofthe lights an iridescence will be produced and the twinkling streak willbe prolonged by the lighting of other lamps ywhich is conducive to theiridescent character of the streaks an a result of the change of thecolored lights that are presented to the observer. The parts of the signare also associated in such manner as to reduce friction to a minimum,there being ample clearance between the caps 6 and 7 relatively to theends of the body 5 to which said caps are applied to avoid the least`interference or binding effect between these caps and the body. Anotherimportant feature is that the improved sign comprises meta-l panels witha dark background and these panels carry the sign letters, characters orsymbols through which the light in its various changes clearly sho-ws,and moreover, the improved signk rotates continuously. The sign matterin the improved sign is composed of translucent devices such as letters,characters or symbols, with material advantages relatively to thosesigns in which the letters, characters or symbols arepaintedon the signpanels.v A still further advantage of the improved sign is its strengthand durability and consequent resistance to wear.

Figs. l0, ll and l2show a modification' of the improved sign, saidmodification relating to signsthat may be provided for rental purposesand used by a company, corporation or other business house for a certainperiod of time and then returned to the owner of the sign. This modifiedform of the sign einbodies removable letter, character or symbol meanswhereby the sign may have-the .sign matter thereon readily changedv forre-rental purposes. Y

The modified form of the sign as shown by Figs, l0, ll and 12 has thesame form of tubunism similar to that disclosed by Figs. fl 'and 5.Around the shaft ll iswound a cable 2O carrying i groups of incandescentelectric lights 2Oa having white and varying'colored globes, and theends of the cable 20 in the modified structure will be electricallyconnected as also heretofore specied.

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The panels 8a in the present instance and in a. manner similar to thestructure heretosite side'members 34 having outer converging sides 36continuing from the sides 34 and provided with light-emitting 'openings37 therein. The corners are fully open at theirl inner portions to theinterior ot the body 5, and the sides 3st are provided at their innerterminals with bends 34a from which inwardly extending panel strips 96project, the said panel strips forming opposed seat or y holding meansfor translucent or opal glass plates having their edges engaging groovedstrips 9,8 within the seat or holding means 96. Also mounted in theseats or holding means 96 against the outer sides of the translucent oropal glass plates 97 are sheet metal sections 98, which are of ayielding or spring character and have their oppositeside edges removablysprung into the said seats 96 and bear closely against the outer sidesoit the plates 97. The sections 98 each have a letter, character orsymbol 99 cut therethrough and all of the sections are assembled inalinement to produce a sign or indication as may be desired to beproduced. Between the sections 98 a. spacer 100 will be introduced, todivide the indicating letters, characters or symbols, each spacer beingof yielding or similar material and removably sprung into the seats orholding means 96. The bottom edges of the sections 98 and each spacer100 is struck or bent outwardly, as at 101, to provide an overlappingwater-tight joint between the upper and lower edges of the said sectionsand spacers. The sections 98 are very similar to stencil plates orstencil members and the letters, characters or .symbols thereof will becut completely through the said sections so as to permit the light toshow through the plates 97 and the open portion of the letters,characters or symbols formed with the sections 98.

When it is desired to modify the form of sign shown by Figs. 10, 11 and12, the sections 98 are removed from the seats or holding means 96 andthe letters, characters or symbols re-arranged as desired, and by thismeans the sam-e body 5 can be used :tor various signs or indicatingmeans. In all other respects the modiiied form of the sign isjthe sameas that heretofore described.

It will be understood that the sign proportions, dimensions as Well asminor details of `structure may be varied, and when such Ychanges areadopted, the mechanism and actuating mediums as Well as the removableseotions 98 disclosed by Figs. 10, 11 and 12 may be correspondinglymodified.

Vlh-at is claimed as new is:

' l. In a sign of the class specified, the combination or" a hollow bodyhaving opaque panels with translucent advertising devices therein andoutwardly projecting hollow corners-with openings in sides thereof, thecorners being open to the interior of the body, a shat extending axiallywithin the body and connected to the latter, groups of lighting devicesarranged around the shaft,

igoevpsc the body with its corners and the shaft and groups of lightingdevices ali rotating` as a unit, and means Jior operating the body,shaft and groups of lighting devices, the'light-ing devices being oitwhite and varying color characteristics and the light being emittedthrough the openings in the corners to produce twinkling streaks oi"light.

2. An electric sign of the class specilied comprising a body v7ithhollow corners formed with openings therein, the body having opaquepanels with transulcent advertising devices applied thereto, and meansfor rotating the body and ligl'itino devices as a unit, the light ot thegroups ofi' lighting vices showing through the iransulcent advertisingdevices and also as twinhfiog streaks through the openings of the hollowcorners. y

In an electric sign oi' the class speciiied, a rotary body having hollowcorners with openings in portions thereof and electric lighting devicesof white and varying 'colors within the body and rotatable with thelatter, the body being of opaque material and carrying translucentadvertising devices, means for intermittently energizing the lightingdevices, and a revolving shai't for rotating the body and lightingdevices as a unit, the hollow corners being fully open to the interiorof the body and the openings of the corners producing` the appearance oftwinkling streaks of light ot varying colors as the body and lightingdevices rotate and the lighting devices are intermittently energized.

4. In an electric sign of the class specified, a rotary body havino'hollow corners projecting outwardly thererrom with opaque panels betweenthe corners carrying translucent advertising devices, portions or' thecorners having vertically alined openings therein, lighting devices or"white and varying colors arranged in groups within the body, 'means forintermittently energizing the lighting devices to provide a hashingetecathe body and lighting devices and corners being rotatable as a unitand effecting the observer with the appearance oi twinkling streaks ot'light as the body rotates, and vmechanism for operating the body andlighting devices.

In an electric sign of the ciass specitied, a rotary body having hollowcorners projecting outwardly therefrom with opaque panels between thecorners carrying translucent advertising devices, portions of thecorners having vertically alined openings therein, lighting devices ofwhite and varying colors arranged in groups within the body, the

body and lighting devices and corners being rotatable as a unit, meansfor causing the lighting devices to have a flashing action and mechanismfor operating' the body and lighting devices.

6. In an electric sign oit the class specified, the combination ot arotary body raving panels of opaque material provided with translucentlighting devices arranged therein at intervals, a shaft extendingaxially through the body, groups of white and varicolored lightingdevices around the sha'lt, the shaft being connected to the body andwith the groups of lighting devices all rotating as a unit, the bodyhaving means for eiiecting a twinkling light appearance of the,

groups of lighting devices and comprising circuits, segments andbrushes, the brush engaging the segments being arranged to Vcontact withtwo segments at a time to effect a joint cooperation of two groups ofthe lighting devices simultaneously in succession to increase thevariation in color eilect 'from the interior of the body through theadvertising devices, and mechanism for operating the shaft, body andlighting and flashing means.

7. ln an electric sign of the class specified, a body formed of opaquematerial and having translucent advertising devices mounted therein, ashaft extending axially withinthe body and connected to the latter,groups of lighting devices disposed around the shaft, the body, shaftand groups oi lighting devices heing rotatable as a unit, and mechanismfor operating the body, shaft and lighting devices and including meansfor effecting a glowing of at least two groups of the lighting deviceshaving different circuits at one time, the body yalso having projectingmeans communicating therewith formed with vertically alined openings toproduce twinkling streaks of light as the body rotates.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand` GEORGE C. CANNON.

